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by Scott Lucas | Dec 19, 2018 | EAWORLDVIEW – Russia, Turkey, and Iran have failed to reach agreement on the composition of a constitutional committee to help resolve Syria’s 93-month conflict.The foreign ministers of the three countries, meeting in Geneva, signed an agreement in principle for a committee leading to “a viable and lasting […]

Turkey, Russia, Iran call for ‘viable, Syrian-led’ political process in Geneva DAILY SABAH WITH AGENCIES – ISTANBUL – 18 Dec 2018 – Published 7 min ago Turkey, Russia and Iran called for the launch of a “viable and lasting Syrian-led, Syrian-owned and U.N.-facilitated political process” after talks in Geneva on Tuesday, saying that a new […]

by Scott Lucas | Dec 19, 2018 | EAWORLDVIEW – Russia, Turkey, and Iran have failed to reach agreement on the composition of a constitutional committee to help resolve Syria’s 93-month conflict.The foreign ministers of the three countries, meeting in Geneva, signed an agreement in principle for a committee leading to “a viable and lasting Syrian-owned, Syrian-led, UN-facilitated political process”.

But they failed to conclude the make-up of the 150-strong committee — 50 members each from the Assad regime, the opposition, and civil society and “independent” groups — with diplomats saying Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had objected to five names. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura, who has pursued the committee since January and is quitting at the end of December, was absent from the gathering.

Turkey, Russia and Iran called for the launch of a “viable and lasting Syrian-led, Syrian-owned and U.N.-facilitated political process” after talks in Geneva on Tuesday, saying that a new Syrian Constitutional Committee should convene early next year.

In a joint statement read out by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after the trio met U.N. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, they said that the work of the new body “should be governed by a sense of compromise and constructive engagement”.

Basnews English 18/12/2018 – 15:18 ERBIL — Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallim has made it clear that Damascus would not agree with independence or federalism for the Kurds in the country.

Speaking to Damascus University professors, Muallim described the Kurds as “important” component of Syria who are ready for dialogue in the direction of benefiting the Damascus government.He said that the Syrian regime is against the autonomous administration in north of the country or any ideas of independence for the Kurds.The foreign minister described it as the “American delusion”, which the Kurds, he believes, should avoid.

16 Dec 2018 – ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Polat Can, a senior commander of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has accused Russia of pushing Turkey to attack Manbij and the east of the Euphrates.

“Russia has frozen the campaign on Idlib because Turkey pledged to fight Kurds in Manbij and East of the Euphrates. Russia did it in Afrin and wants to repeat the scenario. Russia wants to benefit through many ways,” he wrote on his official Twitter account on Sunday.

Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened an all-out invasion of the region where SDF and US troops operate. The US responded strongly to Turkish plans to attack the area, and so far, there have been no signs of a Turkish offensive.

US policy in Eastern Syria is being challenged by Turkey as Ankara claims ISIS is no longer a threat and accuses Washington of shielding Kurdish groups it accuses of terrorism.

By Seth J. Frantzman – December 15, 2018 – In the wake of threats by Ankara to launch an offensive in northern Syria in areas where US forces are present, US President Donald Trump spoke with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday.

In the discussions, Trump reportedly urged Turkey not to launch a military operation in eastern Syria, where the US is working with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to defeat ISIS.The call came after Turkey vowed to launch an offensive in eastern Syria, with Erdogan on Wednesday telling an audience that “within a matter of days” an offensive would be launched east of the Euphrates River. “I am particularly underscoring that our target is not the US soldiers by any means, but members of the terrorist organization operating in the region.”

Turkey would make the area “livable” and return land to its “true owners.” These comments were directed against the Kurdistan Workers Party, (PKK) which Turkey accuses of playing a major role in eastern Syria.

by Scott Lucas | Dec 14, 2018 | EAWORLDVIEW – The Turkish military has clashed with the Kurdish militia YPG in northern Syria, a day after Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vowed an offensive.A Turkish soldier was killed by fire from YPG fighters in the Tel Rifaat area, west of the Euphrates River, according to Ankara’s army. It said Turkish forces returned fire.

Kurdish outlets said the Turkish army began the clash by shelling YPG positions. A pro-Assad blog claimed Assad regime forces were alongside the Kurdish militia, with six troops injured.Erdoğan said Wednesday at a defence industry summit, “Turkey will carry out a military operation in a couple of days….It is time to realize our decision to wipe out terror groups east of the Euphrates.”